The clownfish’s distinguished orange and white stripes make them easy to spot in a coral reef.

These fishes are very fascinating and unique in the ocean’s ecosystem. Read on to find out more about them so you can surprise your kids with your impressive knowledge of these pretty swimmers.



Appearance

A male clownfish swimming around coral reefs
A male clownfish swimming around coral reefs

They are easily recognizable due to their bright shades of orange color and white stripes. They grow up to around 10cm, with female clown fishes being bigger than the males. 

Characteristics: a Symbiotic relationship with Anemone

Clownfish near an anemone
Clownfish near an anemone

While anemones are animals themselves and usually sting any creature that comes close to it, clownfish are one of the few creatures that can withstand an anemone sting and live with it in a symbiotic relationship – they live in the anemone to escape from predators and in exchange gets rid of any parasites and intruders that could destroy the anemone. 

Clownfish perform a dance with an anemone, rubbing its body along the anemone’s tentacles to get used to the host before making it their new home. Clownfish’s bodies are masked with a layer of certain mucus to make them immune to the anemone’s lethal sting. They are also known to live in groups in coral reefs. 

Habitat

Clownfish live in coral reefs along the waters of the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the Western Pacific. They are also found off the coasts of Australia and Southeast Asia and in the waters of southern Japan. They are not found in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, or Atlantic oceans.

Diets

Despite their cute look, clownfish are omnivores which means they eat both meat and plants. They are known to eat crustaceans, algae, zooplankton, and worms. 

Predator

Since they spend most of their lives in anemones that lethally sting other marine animals, clownfish don’t face many predators. When they do leave their homes, they are usually hunted by larger fish.

Conservation Status

Clownfish family living in an anemone
Clownfish family living in an anemone

Although they aren’t on any endangered list, clownfish sales have doubled because of the famous Pixar movie “Finding Nemo,” according to National Geographic. Some areas are overfished to meet the demands of these “aquarium fishes,” which is of great concern for conservationists.

The loss of coral reefs due to pollution and human interference has also resulted in a decline of these species, as stated in livescience.com.

Interesting Facts

The habitat of a clownfish consists of coral reefs and anemones
The habitat of a clownfish consists of coral reefs and anemones
  • An incredible fact about clownfish is that they are all born male, and one of them will switch to become the dominant female of the group. This switch is irreversible. 
  • Although clownfish are spotted for their bright colors, these species also come in black colors with white stripes. The exact opposite of their orange counterparts. 
  • Female clownfish lay up to 1000 eggs in a single birth. 
  • Male clownfish are dedicated mates and loving fathers. They watch over and guard the eggs until they hatch and even clean the nest. 
  • Despite being marine animals, they are terrible swimmers. They hardly leave their anemones, and if they venture out into the open ocean, they swim in out-of-control erratic patterns. 
  • Clownfish communicate by making popping and clicking noises. 
  • While a lot of animal kingdoms have males at the top of the hierarchy, Clownfish have the most aggressive females as their “boss.” 


FAQs

What is special about a clownfish?

They can withstand anemone stings which gives them a symbiotic relationship with said anemones. Clownfish helps prevent parasites from building up in the anemone, while the anemone protects the clownfish from predators.

How did clownfish get their name? 

According to Nat Geo, they are so-called because of the multi-colored sea anemone they live in.

Are clownfish poisonous?

Clownfish are not poisonous, but the sea anemone they live in is. 

What is the lifespan of a clownfish?

They usually live up to 10 years in the wild and 6-8 years in captivity. 

Do Barracudas eat clownfish?

Despite what is shown in Finding Nemo, Barracudas rarely eat clownfish or any type of fish eggs. They usually go after larger fish. 

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